Can You Ski Affordably in Europe? These Resorts, Trains, and Passes Prove It's Possible

"Like many trips that stem from winter restlessness, it's easy to imagine a chic ski weekend, but way harder to actually budget out for it. Consider a trip to Vail, for example: The most convenient hotels you'll find-properties that lie close to the mountain and don't require you to venture far for food or gear-are, of course, normally extremely expensive. But if you're more focused on getting the best ski bang for your buck, a surprisingly affordable-and incredibly picturesque-solution lies across the Atlantic."

"During the 2024-2025 ski season, for example, Switzerland reported its highest number of ski days per person in 15 years, totaling 26.3 million visits across its mountains. With the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, it's fair to assume that resorts across Europe might be out of the question, price-wise-especially when you factor in the limited number of European resorts that partner with Epic and Ikon Passes."

"But that's not necessarily the case, says Chips Lindenmeyr, owner of Lindenmeyr Euro Ski, a New York-based boutique tour company that has specialized in planning trips to European ski destinations for US travelers for over 38 years. "Last year, a day pass to Vail was 320 bucks," says Lindenmeyr. "Double that, and you can ski Zermatt and Breuil-Cervinia for six days.""

Slopes across France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria have experienced record increases in international skiers. Switzerland recorded 26.3 million ski visits during the 2024–2025 season, its highest in 15 years. The upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics may push resort prices higher, and only a limited number of European resorts participate in Epic and Ikon Pass programs. Boutique U.S.-based tour operators can simplify planning and deliver strong value. Comparative pricing shows a Vail day pass near $320 versus spending twice that to ski six days at Zermatt and Breuil-Cervinia. Visit during low season, book packages, choose less crowded resorts, stay off-mountain, and travel midweek or via regional trains to maximize affordability without sacrificing quality.

Read at Conde Nast Traveler